Interactive television program guide with simultaneous watch and record capabilities

ABSTRACT

An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application No.60/089,487, filed Jun. 16, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to interactive television program guides, andmore particularly, to television program guides that allow users torecord one program while simultaneously watching a different program.

Interactive program guides are typically implemented on set-top boxes.The program guides implemented on set-top boxes allow users to viewtelevision program listings. In addition, some program guides allow theuser to select a program to be recorded. When the selected programbegins, the program guide tunes the set-top box to the channel showingthe program and directs a videocassette recorder (“VCR”) to beginrecording. At the end of the selected program, the program guide stopsthe recording process.

A significant disadvantage to the program guides that are currentlyavailable is that they are generally based on set-top boxes that containone tuner (although set-top boxes containing two tuners have beenproposed). A program may be selected for recording using such one-tunerprogram guides, however, a viewer is unable to watch one program whilesimultaneously recording another.

What is needed is a more sophisticated program guide that can perform anallocation function amongst multiple tuners or a single tuner inconjunction with a RF bypass switch inside a set-top box oralternatively, outside the set-top box to allow a viewer to watch oneprogram while simultaneously recording another program.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide aninteractive television program guide system which allows a user torecord one program while simultaneously watching another program.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides the user of an interactive televisionprogram guide with the ability to watch one program while simultaneouslyrecording another. The user may select a television program to berecorded by viewing the interactive television program guide's programlistings display screen and making a selection using a remote controldevice. The selection is then stored in memory that resides in theset-top box or some other suitable device such as a satellite receiver,an advanced television with a processor and memory or a computer.

If the set-top box is equipped with multiple tuners, the interactivetelevision program guide will allocate one of the tuners for recordingthe program when it is time for the program to start. However, if all ofthe tuners are in use, which may be the case if the viewer is watchingone program and using a picture-in-picture (“PIP”) feature to viewanother program or to display additional text or graphics by using someother secondary tuner function feature that requires a tuner to operate,the interactive television program guide may allocate a tuner for therecording function if the user indicates that he is no longer interestedin using the PIP or another secondary tuner function or if the tunerallocation scheme dictates it do so. Alternatively, if the set-top boxis equipped with two tuners, one may be dedicated for television viewingand interactive television program guide user features, while the othertuner may be dedicated for recording use only.

The present invention may also be practiced using a set-top box systemhaving a single tuner and a radio-frequency (“RF”) bypass or digitalswitch. With such a system, the interactive television program guideallocates use of the single tuner output and controls the switch outputto provide a watch and record environment for the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with its various features and advantages, can bereadily understood from the following more detailed description taken inconjunction with accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1( a) is a diagram of an illustrative interactive televisionprogram guide system in which an interactive television program guide isimplemented in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1( b) is a diagram of the user television equipment that includesalternative devices for the user program guide equipment, recordingdevice and viewing device.

FIG. 2( a) is a diagram of an illustrative interactive televisionprogram guide system that includes a two-tuner set-top box in which theoutput of each tuner is connected directly into an external device inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2( b) is a diagram of an illustrative interactive televisionprogram guide system that includes a two-tuner set-top box in which theoutput of each tuner is connected to switching circuitry in accordancewith the present invention. The outputs of the switching circuitry areconnected to external devices.

FIG. 3( a) is a flow chart that illustrates steps involved in using aninteractive television program guide system that includes a set-top boxthat has two tuners of the type shown in FIG. 2( a) in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 3( b) is a flow chart that illustrates steps involved in using aninteractive television program guide system that includes a set-top boxthat has two tuners and switching circuitry of the type shown in FIG. 2(b) in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3( c) is an illustrative flow chart showing steps involved inproviding a secondary function in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4( a) is an illustrative interactive television program guideselection screen that may be provided on a user's television inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4( b) is an illustrative interactive television program guideviewer option selection screen for use in canceling a picture-in-picturefunction or other secondary user functions in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 4( c) is an illustrative interactive television program guideviewer option selection screen for use in the cancellation of ascheduled recording in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an illustrative interactive television programguide system that includes a set-top box with one tuner, an externalradio frequency (RF) bypass switch, and an external infrared (IR)transmitter, and where the set-top box tuner output is received by avideocassette recorder (VCR) in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of steps involved in using an interactivetelevision program guide system that includes a set-top box that has onetuner and an external RF bypass switch of the type shown in FIG. 5 inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an illustrative interactive television programguide system that includes a set-top box that has one tuner, an externalRF bypass switch, and an external IR transmitter, and in which theset-top box tuner output is connected to the television in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of steps involved in using an interactivetelevision program guide system that includes a set-top box that has onetuner and an external RF bypass switch and in which the set-top boxtuner output is connected to the television as shown in FIG. 7 inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an illustrative interactive television programguide system that includes a set-top box that has one tuner, an externalRF bypass switching circuitry unit, and an external IR transmitter inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of steps involved in using an interactivetelevision program guide system that includes a set-top box of the typeshown in FIG. 9 having one tuner, an external RF bypass switchingcircuitry unit, and an external IR transmitter in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 11( a) is a diagram illustrating a switching position to which anexternal RF bypass switching circuitry unit can be set so that bothoutputs of the RF bypass switching circuitry unit transmit a processedsignal in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11( b) is a diagram illustrating a switching position to which anexternal RF bypass switching circuitry unit can be set so that anunprocessed television signal is directed to the VCR and a processedtelevision signal is directed to the television in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 11( c) is a diagram illustrating a switching position to which anexternal RF bypass switching circuit can be set so that the unprocessedtelevision signal is directed to the television input and the processedtelevision signal is directed to the VCR input in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an illustrative interactive television programguide system that includes a set-top box that has one tuner, an externalRF bypass switching circuitry unit described in FIGS. 11( a), 11(b), and11(c), and an external IR transmitter in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of steps involved in using an interactivetelevision program guide system that includes a set-top box that has onetuner and an external RF bypass switching circuitry unit as shown inFIG. 11 having three distinct switching positions in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1( a) shows an illustrative interactive television program guidesystem 100 in accordance with the present invention. Main facility 102contains a program guide database 104 for storing program guideinformation such as television program guide listings data, pay-per-viewordering information, television program promotional information, etc.Information from database 104 may be transmitted to multiple televisiondistribution facilities 110 via communications link 120. Only one suchfacility 110 is shown in FIG. 1 to avoid over-complicating the drawing.Communications link 120 may be a satellite link, a telephone networklink, a cable or fiber optic link, a microwave link, a combination ofsuch links, or any other suitable communication path. If it is desiredto transmit video signals over link 120 in addition to data signals, arelatively high bandwidth link such as a satellite link is generallypreferable to a relatively low bandwidth link such as a telephone line.Television distribution facility 110 is a facility for distributingtelevision signals and data to users, such as a cable system headend, abroadcast distribution facility, or a satellite television distributionfacility.

The program guide information transmitted by main facility 102 totelevision distribution facility 110 includes television programlistings data for current and future television programs. The televisionprogram listings data for each program preferably includes the title ofthe program, the channel for the program, a scheduled broadcast time(start time) and an ending time or the duration of the program. Othertypical program listings data includes ratings, critics ratings,descriptions, genres (sport, movies, children, etc.), actors, etc.Transmitted program information may also include advertising informationand pay program data such as pricing information for individual programsand subscription channels, telephone numbers for placing orders thatcannot be impulse ordered, etc.

Television distribution facility 110 distributes television programmingand program guide information to the user television equipment 106 ofmultiple users via communications paths 108. For example, televisionprogramming may be distributed over analog television channels andprogram guide data may be distributed over an out-of-band link on paths108. Data distribution may also involve using one or more digitalchannels on paths 108. Such digital channels may also be used fordistributing television programming and other information. Multipletelevision and audio channels (analog, digital, or both analog anddigital) may be provided to set-top boxes 112 via communication paths108. If desired, program listings and other information may bedistributed by one or more distribution facilities that are separatefrom television distribution facility 110 using communications pathsthat are separate from paths 108.

Certain functions such as pay program purchasing may require set-topboxes 112 to transmit data to television distribution facility 110 overcommunications paths 108. If desired, such data may be transmitted overtelephone lines or other separate communications paths. If functionssuch as these are provided using facilities separate from televisiondistribution facility 110, some of the communications involving set-topboxes 112 may be made directly with the separate facility.

Each user has user program guide equipment that acts as a receiver. Theuser program guide equipment is typically a set-top box such as set-topbox 112, but which may be other suitable television equipment into whichcircuitry similar to set-top box circuitry has been integrated. Programguide data is distributed to set-top boxes 112 periodically,continuously or on demand. Television distribution facility 110 may alsopoll set-top boxes 112 periodically for certain information (e.g., payprogram account information or information regarding programs that havebeen purchased and viewed using locally-generated authorizationtechniques). Main facility 102 preferably contains a processor to handleinformation distribution tasks. Each set-top box 112 preferably containsa processor to handle tasks associated with implementing a interactivetelevision program guide application on the set-top box 112. Televisiondistribution facility 110 may contain a processor for tasks associatedwith monitoring a user's interactions with the interactive televisionprogram guide implemented on set-top boxes 112 and for handling tasksassociated with the distribution of program guide data and otherinformation to user television equipment 106.

Each set-top box 112 is typically connected to an optional recordingdevice such as videocassette recorder (VCR) 114 or other suitablerecording device, so that selected television programs may be recorded.VCR 114 may be connected to television 116 (or other suitable viewingdevice such as a monitor) or set-top box 112 may be connected totelevision 116 (or other suitable viewing device). To record a program,set-top box 112 tunes to a particular channel and sends control signalsvia infrared (IR) transmitter 200, other suitable control paths such asa hard-wired link or serial bus 201 to VCR 114. The control signalsdirect VCR 114 to start and stop recording at the appropriate times.

During use of the interactive television program guide implemented onset-top box 112, television program listings and other information maybe displayed on television 116. Such interactive television programguide displays may be overlaid on top of a television program to whichthe user has tuned with set-top box 112 or may be displayed in place ofsuch a program. Each set-top box 112, VCR 114, and television 116 may becontrolled by one or more remote controls 118 or any other suitable userinput interface such as a wireless keyboard, mouse, trackball, dedicatedset of buttons, voice recognition system etc. Remote controls such asremote control 118 have various buttons that may be pressed by the usersuch as cursor keys (for on-screen movement of a highlighted region,scrolling functions, etc.), an enter key (for making a selection),channel number keys (for selecting functions related to userpreferences), etc.

FIG. 1( b) shows alternative devices that may be used in implementingthe interactive television program guide. The interactive televisionprogram guide may be implemented on user program guide equipment thatincludes a set-top box, advanced television receiver with amicroprocessor and memory, a personal computer with or without one ormore tuners, a satellite receiver, a high definition television (“HDTV”)receiver, or any other suitable television reception and data processingdevice. A suitable personal computer arrangement may contain a tunercard that contains suitable analog and digital tuning circuitry toperform the simultaneous watch and record features. A tuner card maycontain two analog tuners that both receive television program signalsfrom the television input signal and are controlled by the interactivetelevision program guide. Typically a digital tuner for the interactivetelevision program guide system may contain an analog tuner, a decodersuch as a Motion Pictures Experts Group (“MPEG”) MPEG-2 decoder, ademodulator such as a quadrature amplitude modulation (“QAM”)demodulator, and a demultiplexer such as a MPEG-2 demultiplexer that isused to extract the portion of the television input signal that isdesirable to the user and corresponds to a particular television programor channel. Alternatives for the recording device include avideocassette recorder, a digital versatile disk or digital video disk(“DVD”) player with recording capabilities, a digital storage devicesuch as a disk drive or other suitable digital storage device that mayor may not be part of the computer, or any other suitable recordingdevice. The recording device may also be a videocassette recordercontrolled by the computer. Alternatives for the viewing device includea television, a monitor with or without an attached computer, or theviewing equipment portion of a personal computer-television (PC/TV). Theviewing device may also be an analog or digital television.

FIG. 2( a) shows an illustrative two-tuner set-top box 112. Thetelevision input signal 206 may be received from a cable connected to acable system headend or from an antenna that receives satellitetelevision transmissions. Television signals may also be received thatare distributed, for example, by terrestrial wireless communicationssystems such as microwave-based communications systems or the like. Ifdesired, television signals may be received from conventional broadcasttelevision systems. Television-like signals may be received over theInternet (e.g., using video compression techniques). Television signalsfrom these sources or any other such suitable sources may be combined ifdesired. Television signals may be analog or digital (e.g., in theMPEG-2 format or the like). A television input signal that has not beenprocessed by a tuner or decoder in the program guide equipment isreferred to herein as a raw signal.

The unprocessed television input signal on line 206 is provided toset-top box 112. The unprocessed television input signal on line 206 isthen received by tuner 202 and tuner 204 which process this signal bydecoding it and tuning to desired television channels. The televisioninput signal on line 206 is typically an analog television signal andthe invention will generally be described in this context. However, theprincipals of the present invention also apply to set-top boxes thatreceive digital television signals as well. The principals of thepresent invention apply to satellite receivers, cable set-top boxes, andother devices suitable for the reception of television signals such asmicrowave television receivers, or broadcast television systemreceivers. However, for clarity the present invention will be describedprimarily in the context of cable set-top boxes. Tuner outputs 208 and210 of each tuner are respectively connected to audio/video output 1 andaudio/video output 2 of set-top box 112. Audio/video output 1 andaudio/video output 2 may be connected to external devices such as eithera television or VCR. Formats for audio/video output 1 and audio/videooutput 2 may include RF or baseband analog, MPEG-2 carried on an IEEE1394 bus, or any other suitable format.

In this example, audio/video output 204 is connected to VCR 114.Accordingly, with the arrangement of FIG. 2( a), the interactivetelevision program guide always uses the same tuner for recordingfunctions, because tuner 204 is dedicated for that purpose. However, VCR114 may be connected to either audio/video output 1 or audio/videooutput 2 so that if VCR 114 is connected to audio/video output 1, tuner202 will be used exclusively for recording.

FIG. 2( a) also shows that the interactive television program guidesystem may include an external IR transmitter 200 for communicating withVCR 114. External IR transmitter 200 receives interactive televisionprogram guide command signals from set-top box 112 on line 212. Althoughin FIG. 2( a) and other drawings, IR transmitter 200 is depicted asbeing external to the set-top box 112, this configuration may bemodified if desired by using a set-top box that includes an internal IRtransmitter capable of transmitting an infrared signal at an optimaltrajectory such that it is effectively received by external devices suchVCR 114 and television 116. IR transmitter 200 may be optimallypositioned so that VCR 114 will receive the IR signal effectively.Alternatively, the interactive program guide system may include two IRtransmitters, one for VCR 114 and one for television 116 or otherequipment for communicating with the recording device such as optionalserial bus 201. The interactive television program guide command signalson line 212 that are provided to IR transmitter 200 allow channelselection requests and VCR start and record commands to be sent from theinteractive television program guide in set-top box 112 to VCR 114. Theinteractive television program guide commands that are sent to VCR 114are based on the user's interactions with the interactive televisionprogram guide (i.e., to select programs for recording, etc,).

FIG. 3( a) is a flow chart showing steps involved in using aninteractive television program guide system having a set-top boxconfiguration such as shown in FIG. 2( a). At step 300, the interactivetelevision program guide provides the user with an opportunity to selecta program to be recorded at some later time. The user may select aprogram to be recorded from a interactive television program guidescreen such as interactive television program guide program selectionscreen 400 of FIG. 4( a), which the interactive television program guidedisplays on the user's television. By entering a selection using remotecontrol 118, the user may select a program to be recorded. The user mayenter a selection into remote control 118 by using the up and downcursor buttons on remote control 118 to highlight the desired selectionwith a highlight region such as highlight region 402. In the exampledepicted in FIG. 4( a), program 10, is being selected for recording at7:30 on channel 4. The user may initiate recording by pressing a remotecontrol “record” button or by pressing an “OK” button followed byappropriate responses to various on-screen menus generated by theinteractive television program guide.

At step 302 of FIG. 3( a), the interactive television program guidesends commands to tuner 204 of FIG. 2( a) at the time the programselected after step 300 is about to begin. These commands allow theinteractive television program guide to tune tuner 204 to the channel ofthe program selected for recording.

At step 304, the interactive television program guide sends commands viaIR transmitter 200 that direct VCR 114 of FIG. 2( a) begin recording.Optionally, the interactive television program guide may send commandsthat direct VCR 114 to turn on if necessary. While tuner 204 of FIG. 2(a) is being used to record the selected program, tuner 202 may be usedto view any program made available to the user on television inputsignal 206 by television distribution facility 110. In addition, theuser may use the interactive television program guide without anylimitations as to which tuner-related features of the interactivetelevision program guide may be used. This two-tuner set-top box systemprovides a system by which the user may simultaneously watch one programand record another.

At step 306 of FIG. 3( a), the interactive television program guidesends IR commands to VCR 114 at the end of the recorded program. TheseIR commands instruct VCR 114 to stop recording. Optionally, theinteractive television program guide may send commands that direct VCR114 to turn off if necessary.

FIG. 2( b) shows another illustrative arrangement of a two-tuner set-topbox 112. The arrangement of FIG. 2( b) allows the interactive televisionprogram guide to allocate whichever tuner is not currently busy forrecording a selected program when that program is about to begin.Outputs 208 and 210 of tuners 202 and 204 respectively, of FIG. 2( b)are connected to inputs 214 and 216, respectively, of switchingcircuitry 218. Switching circuitry 218 is controlled by interactivetelevision program guide command signals on line 212. Switchingcircuitry 218 has two outputs 220 and 222. Each of the switchingcircuitry outputs 220 and 222 may be connected to at least one externaldevice such as television 116 or VCR 114. The arrangement of FIG. 2( b)is similar to the arrangement of FIG. 2( a), except that the FIG.(b)arrangement has switching circuitry that allows the interactivetelevision program guide to switch tuner outputs so that each externaldevice may receive output from either tuner 202 or tuner 204, whereasthe arrangement in FIG. 2( a) only allows the tuner outputs to bededicated to one external device or another. Further, in theconfiguration of FIG. 2( b), both switching circuitry outputs 220 and222 are connected to television 116 and output 222 is also connected toVCR 114. Output 220 is connected to the regular television input andOutput 222 is connected to the Picture-In-Picture input or some otherauxiliary television input. This configuration allows the user to usesecondary functions such as PIP while viewing television 116.Alternatively, the picture-in-picture output from one tuner may becombined internally in the set-top box with the processed signal outputfrom the other tuner to create one output that is connected totelevision 116.

FIG. 3( b) shows a flow chart of steps involved in using an interactivetelevision program guide system having a set-top box configured as shownin FIG. 2( b). Before step 300, a user may use the interactivetelevision program guide to select a particular television program forviewing. The interactive television program guide commands a firstnon-busy tuner to direct its output to television 116 for user viewing.At step 300, the interactive television program guide provides the userwith an opportunity to select a program to be recorded. The user mayalso activate a secondary function for the set-top box tuner such as apicture-in-picture function or the interactive television program guidemay utilize that tuner for another secondary function such as collectingprogram guide data, browsing the Internet, playing a particular musicchannel, using interactive services or running a background process.

As shown in FIG. 3 c, when a user activates a secondary tuner function,the tuner for that function (e.g., the tuner other than the firstnon-busy tuner) may perform that secondary tuner function at step 322.Step 322 may also involve non-user activated secondary tuner functionssuch as step 324 that provides support for background processes. Abackground process supported may be collecting interactive televisionprogram guide data. Step 324 may be performed, for example, by tuningthe other tuner to a channel on which interactive television programguide data is provided from main facility 102 via televisiondistribution facility 110 on one of communications paths 108 connectingtelevision distribution facility 110 to user television equipment 106 ormore specifically to user program guide equipment 112. Step 324 may alsoinvolve using the other tuner to provide interactive services such asenabling Internet browsing at step 326. Internet browsing may involveaccessing the Internet by launching a Internet browser and connecting tothe Internet using the other tuner over a data channel on one ofcommunications paths 108 linking user program guide equipment 112 totelevision distribution facility 110. Television distribution facility110 may contain a server or other suitable equipment for completing aconnection to the Internet. Step 322 may also involve step 328 ofplaying a music channel or to obtain information for that channel. Instep 328, the other tuner may be used in tuning to a digital musicchannel provided from television distribution facility 110. Aspects ofthe use of multiple tuners to obtain in-band information for analog anddigital music channels are described in Ellis U.S. patent applicationSer. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith (Attorney Docket No.UV-69), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. If desired, the other tuner may be used to provide apicture-in-picture signal at step 330.

Returning to FIG. 3 b, if the user decides to activate a secondaryfunction such as PIP before the interactive television program guidebegins to record the program that was selected for recording at step300, the other tuner is used to provide the secondary function at step309. Thus following step 309, both tuners are in use. The user iswatching television with the first tuner while the second (other) tuneris being used to provide a secondary function such as PIP. At step 310,the interactive television program guide processes the request to recordthe program selected at step 300.

At step 312, after the record request is processed the interactivetelevision program guide displays viewer option for secondary functionuse (PIP cancellation) display screen 410 as shown in FIG. 4( b) whichprovides the user with an opportunity to either initiate the recordingprocess or to continue using secondary functions that involve supplyingPIP or additional text or graphics that overlay the display oftelevision 116. The user, who is already watching television using thefirst non-busy tuner, may indicate a desire to continue using the othertuner for secondary functions by selecting “No” on the viewer option forsecondary function use (PIP cancellation) display screen 410 withhighlight region 411. This selection can be made by using remote control118. If the user selects “No,” the interactive television program guidewill continue to direct the other tuner to be used for secondaryfunction use. Alternatively, the user may cancel the secondary functionuse on the other tuner and may initiate the recording process using theother tuner by selecting “Yes” on viewer option for secondary functionuse (PIP cancellation) display screen 410. If the interactive televisionprogram guide does not receive a “Yes” or “No” selection from the user,the interactive television program guide will terminate the secondaryfunction use on the second tuner and proceed with the recording process.Further, if the second tuner is being used for an secondary functionsuch as data collection that requires no user input, the interactivetelevision program guide will automatically terminate that functionwithout displaying a viewer alert screen.

At step 314, after the user has chosen to proceed with the recordingprocess, the output of the other tuner is directed to VCR 114 byswitching circuitry 218 and used to record the selected program. Theinteractive television program guide tunes the other tuner to thechannel on which the selected program will be broadcast and sends IRcommands to VCR 114 to start recording.

If the user decides not to activate a secondary function such as PIPbefore the interactive television program guide begins to record theprogram that was selected for recording, the interactive televisionprogram guide uses the other tuner to record the selected program atstep 308. Thus, following step 308, both tuners are in use. The user iswatching television with the first tuner while the second (other) tuneris being used to record the selected program. If the user attempts toactivate a secondary function as shown at point 311 in FIG. 3( b), theinteractive television program guide displays viewer option forsecondary function use (recording cancellation) display screen 420 atstep 316 as shown in FIG. 4( c) which gives the user the option toeither cancel the recording process and allocate the other tuner forsecondary function use or to continue the recording process and cancelthe secondary function request.

If the user cancels the secondary function request (using, e.g.,highlight region 421 of FIGS. 4( c)) to select “No” in viewer option forsecondary function use (recording cancellation) display screen 420, theinteractive television program guide continues the recording process onthe other tuner at step 318.

If the user cancels the record request by selecting “Yes” in vieweroption for secondary function use (recording cancellation) displayscreen 420, the interactive television program guide allocates the othertuner for secondary function use at step 320. In step 320, theinteractive television program guide sends IR commands to VCR 114 todirect VCR 114 to stop recording.

FIG. 4( a) shows an illustrative interactive television program guideselection screen 400 that may be displayed on television 116 when theuser enters commands into remote control 118 that direct the interactivetelevision program guide to be displayed. The user may use remotecontrol 118 to select a desired program for recording. Interactivetelevision program guide selection screen 400 provides the user with anopportunity to view program listings for current and future programs aswell as to initiate the recording process by selecting a program to berecorded. FIG. 4( a) depicts an example in which the user has selectedprogram 10 for recording with highlight region 402. Program 10 will bebroadcast on channel 4 at 7:30. This means that at 7:30 the interactivetelevision program guide uses either a set-top box tuner or the internaltuner of VCR 114 to tune to channel 4 before initiating the recordsequence. This record sequence may be performed while the user iswatching a television program different from the program being recorded.

FIG. 4( b) shows an illustrative interactive television program guideviewer option for secondary function use (PIP cancellation) screen 410which acts to alert the viewer to a conflict in tuner allocation andusage. Screen 410 may be displayed by the interactive television programguide on user television 116 when the second or “other” tuner chosen bythe interactive television program guide to record the selected programis already in use performing a secondary function such as PIP and thefirst tuner is being used for viewing television 116. Screen 410provides the user with an opportunity to continue using the second tunerfor the secondary function and to cancel the record request or to cancelthe secondary use and to proceed with the record request. If the userstill desires to have the program recorded, the user will select “Yes.”The interactive television program guide will then redirect the use ofthe second tuner and initiate the record sequence. If the user desiresto continue using the secondary function, the user will select “No.” Theinteractive television program guide will then cancel the record requestand allow the user to continue using the second tuner for any of theavailable secondary functions.

FIG. 4( c) shows illustrative interactive television program guideviewer option for secondary function use (record cancellation) displayscreen 420 which acts to alert the viewer to a conflict in tunerallocation and usage. Screen 420 maybe displayed by the program ontelevision 116 when the second or “other” tuner chosen by theinteractive television program guide is asked to perform a secondaryfunction but that tuner is already busy performing the record functionand the first tuner is being used for viewing television 116. Screen 420provides the user with the option to continue using the second tuner forrecording the selected program and canceling the request for use of theother tuner for performing a secondary function or to cancel the currentrecording and to process the secondary function request. If the userdesires to have the recording process canceled, the user will select“Yes.” The interactive television program guide will then redirect theuse of the second tuner and process the secondary function request. Ifthe user desires to continue the recording process, the user will select“No.” The interactive television program guide will then cancel thesecondary function request and allow the user to continue using thesecond tuner for recording the selected program.

FIG. 5. shows the first of four illustrative configurations involving asingle-tuner set-top box 500 that has an RF bypass switch. If desired,the functions of the RF bypass switch may be provided by a digitalswitch. The RF bypass switch may be incorporated as part of the inputcircuitry on either the viewing or recording devices and functionallyperform the same as RF bypass switch 502. RF bypass switch 502 allowsraw cable input 506 to be passed through to an external device such astelevision 116 without being processed. RF bypass switch 502 not onlyreceives raw signal 506, but it receives processed signal 508 as well.Processed signal 508 is output from tuner 504 and into VCR 114.Processed signal 508 passes through VCR 114 and is output as processedsignal 510 from VCR 114 to RF bypass switch 502. The interactivetelevision program guide command signals on line 212 are also an inputto RF bypass switch 502 and are used to control output 512 of RF bypassswitch 502. Output 512 from RF bypass switch 502 may be either rawsignal 506 or processed signal 510. The ability of RF bypass switch 502to output either the raw or the processed signal is an attractivefeature because it allows the user to view programs on channels thatmust be processed by a tuner for unscrambling or decoding, such as HBO,as well as those programs that do not.

When the interactive television program guide system is inwatch-and-record mode, only raw signal 506 is transmitted on output 512of RF bypass switch 502 and directed to television 116. Output 508 oftuner 504 in set-top box 500 is directed to VCR 114 only. Therefore, allof the programs (scrambled and unscrambled) that are available to theuser from television distribution facility 110 may be recorded by VCR114. When television 116 receives unprocessed raw signal 506, the usermay view all of the programs available to that user from televisiondistribution facility 110 that do not require processing or unscramblingby tuner 504. The user may tune the television by using remote control118 to change the channels on the television and not by changing thechannels on set-top box tuner 504. The interactive television programguide may process channel requests received from remote control 118 andmay retransmit suitable channel changing commands to TV 116 using IRtransmitter 200. In this mode, channel requests are redirected away fromtuner 504, which is normally the recipient of such requests, to thetuner of television 116.

When television 116 is in a mode where it is receiving raw signal 506,use of the interactive television program guide is limited because manyof the interactive television program guide's features requireprocessing by set-top box tuner 504 and its output 508 to be directed totelevision 116. However, limited use of the interactive televisionprogram guide is still possible in this mode because some interactivetelevision program guide features remain accessible to the user. Forexample, the interactive television program guide may display simpleinformation such as the channel number on the front panel of the set-topbox. The interactive television program guide may also prevent the userfrom attempting to tune to any channel that television 116 cannot decodedue to scrambling. The interactive television program guide may providethe user with the option to select the last channel viewed, use favoritechannel features or adjust television volume without interrupting therecording process. If the user had set a reminder for the time duringwhich a recording is active, the interactive television program guidemay automatically tune the television to the selected program.Alternatively, the interactive television program guide may allow theuser to toggle between programs with reminders, by using a predefinedkey on remote control 118. If the user attempts to tune to a programthat is parentally controlled, the interactive television program guidemay prevent the transmission of channel-tuning commands to thetelevision. In this case, the interactive television program guide maytune to the desired program only after a special personal identificationnumber (PIN) is entered into remote control 118. The interactivetelevision program guide may present a prompt for such a PIN on thefront-panel display of set-top box 500. Interactive television programguide command signal 212 is an input to IR transmitter 200 and is usedto send commands from the interactive television program guide toexternal devices such as television 116 and VCR 114 via infraredtransmission signals. IR transmitter 200 may be optimally positioned sothat VCR 114 and television 116 will receive the IR signal effectively.

The single tuner, RF bypass switch configuration of FIG. 5 operates in asimilar manner to the two-tuner set-top box configurations described inFIGS. 2( a) and 2(b) in that it allows the user to watch one programwhile simultaneously recording another.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of steps involved in using an interactivetelevision program guide system that includes a single tuner, RF bypassswitch, and set-top box tuner output directed to VCR 114 as shown inFIG. 5. At step 300, the interactive television program guide providesthe user with an opportunity to select a program to be recorded at somelater time. After the user selects a program for recording, theinteractive television program guide continues to direct set-top boxtuner output 508 to television 116 at step 600 until the recordingprocess has been initiated. Directing set-top box tuner output 508 ofFIG. 5 to television 116 allows the user to view all programmingavailable from television distribution facility 110.

At step 602, the interactive television program guide initiates therecording of the selected program by directing set-top box tuner output508 to VCR 114. The interactive television program guide tunes set-topbox tuner 504 to selected program and sets set-top box tuner output 508to an optimal volume level for recording. Because set-top box tuneroutput 508 is being used to record the selected program, all programsavailable to the user from television distribution facility 110 may berecorded. When the recording process is initiated, the interactivetelevision program guide directs raw signal 506 through RF bypass switch502 and to television 116. Because television 116 receives raw signal506 while the recording process is occurring only programs decodeable bycable ready television 116 may be viewed. The interactive televisionprogram guide may send commands via IR transmitter 200 to tunetelevision 116 to the channel previously watched by the user so as notto interrupt the program being viewed. While television 116 receives rawsignal 506, the user has limited access to interactive televisionprogram guide features because to have full access to interactivetelevision program guide features set-top box tuner 504 must not be inthe record mode.

At step 604, without interrupting the recording process, a user mayselect a particular television channel by using remote control 118. Whenthe user selects a channel, the interactive television program guidesends IR commands to the tuner of television 116 and not to set-top boxtuner 504, thereby providing an interruption-free recording environment.In this configuration, the user may use a limited number of interactivetelevision program guide functions such as parental control, remindersand volume control.

At step 606, when the selected program ends, the interactive televisionprogram guide sends IR commands to stop the recording process. Theinteractive television program guide directs the output of set-top tuner504 to television 116 and also tunes set-top box tuner 504 to thechannel television 116 was previously tuned to, which once againprovides the user with the full range of programs available to the userand full access to interactive television program guide features. Theinteractive television program guide may change the volume of set-topbox tuner output 508 back to the volume level selected by the user.

FIG. 7 is the second illustrative configuration of the single tuner andRF bypass switch set-top box system. Set-top box 500 is similar to thatshown in FIG. 5. However, here, output 508 of tuner 504 is directed totelevision 116 and output 512 of RF bypass switch 502 is directed to VCR114. RF bypass switch output 512 is controlled by interactive televisionprogram guide command signals on line 212, which are an input to RFbypass switch 502. In this configuration, if a user wanted to watch oneprogram while recording another, VCR 114 is only able to record programsthat can be decoded by the VCR (e.g., unscrambled and unprocessed analogchannels). However, the user would also be able to view any programavailable to the user while simultaneously recording a selected programthat is different from the program being viewed. If the user is notviewing television 116 any program available to the user may berecorded. The user may also view a scrambled program if that program isthe same one being recorded. In addition, unlike in the firstconfiguration of the single-tuner RE-bypass set-top box system shown inFIG. 5, the user would be able to use and enjoy the full range ofavailable interactive television program guide features. The full rangeof interactive television program guide features may be usedsimultaneously with the recording function because set-top box tuneroutput 508 is input directly to television 116. In contrast to theset-top box embodiment shown in FIG. 5, where set-top box output 508 isdirected to VCR 114 and full interactive television program guide use isnot possible while in the watch and record mode, this single-tunerRF-bypass-switch embodiment does not interfere with the functionality ofthe interactive television program guide when VCR 114 recording functionis in operation because set-top box tuner output 508 is directed totelevision 116 and not VCR 114.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of steps involved in using an interactivetelevision program guide system that includes a single-tuner RF-bypassswitch, and set-top box tuner output 508 that is directed to atelevision as shown in FIG. 7. At step 300, the interactive televisionprogram guide provides the user with an opportunity to select a programto be recorded at some later time.

At step 800, after the user has selected a program to be recorded, theinteractive television program guide continues to direct set-top boxtuner output 508 to television 116 and switches raw signal 506 throughRF bypass switch 502 to VCR 114.

At step 802, when the selected program is to begin, the interactivetelevision program guide initiates recording of the selected program.The interactive television program guide sends IR commands that tune theinternal tuner of VCR 114 to the desired channel for the selectedprogram. This configuration of the present invention allows onlyprograms that are decodeable by VCR 114 to be recorded while anotherprogram is being viewed and not those programs that require processingor unscrambling by set-top box tuner 504. However, if television 116 isnot being viewed, VCR 114 can record any program available to the user.While the recording process is occurring, set-top box tuner output 508continues to be directed to television 116 providing the user withunlimited access to interactive television program guide features andall programs available to the user from television distribution facility110.

At step 804, when the selected programs ends, the interactive televisionprogram guide sends IR commands to VCR 114 to stop the recordingprocess. The interactive television program guide also switches rawsignal 506 and processed signal 508 such that VCR 114 receives processedsignal 508 once again.

FIG. 9 shows a diagram of a third illustrative configuration involving asingle-tuner RF-bypass-switch system. In this configuration or passthrough mode, RF bypass switch 900 has two outputs 902 and 904 andincludes switching circuitry that provides the user with the ability topass its two inputs 506 and 508 directly to outputs 902 and 904respectively. In addition, outputs 902 and 904 of RF bypass switch 900may be switched or placed in a switched mode to receive a signal frominputs 508 and 506 respectively, upon commands sent from the interactivetelevision program guide via the interactive television program guidecommand signals on line 212. This switching capability allows theinteractive television program guide to direct either raw signal 506 orprocessed signal 508 to either VCR 114 or television 116. In normalmode, raw signal 506 is directed to VCR 114 via output 902 and processedsignal 508 is directed to television 116 via output 904. However, if VCR114 is unable to record the selected program because the program'ssignal is scrambled or digital, the interactive television program guidewill send commands via line 212 to RF bypass switch 900 to switch rawsignal 506 to television 116 via output 904 and processed signal 508 toVCR 114 via output 902. This switch arrangement allows the user torecord the selected program while simultaneously watching anotherprogram that does not require processing by tuner 504.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of steps involved in using an interactivetelevision program guide system that includes a single-tuner RF-bypassswitch that can operate in two modes, pass through or switched, as shownin FIG. 9. At step 300, the interactive television program guideprovides the user with an opportunity to select a program to be recordedat some later time.

At step 1000, the interactive television program guide directs set-topbox tuner output 508 through RF bypass switch 900 via output 904 totelevision 116 and raw signal 506 through RF bypass switch 900 via 902to VCR 114. A user may be watching television 116.

At step 1002, when the program is scheduled to begin, the interactivetelevision program guide initiates recording of the program selected bythe user. The record process may be initiated while a user is watchingprogramming on television 116.

At step 1004, if VCR 114 can decode the channel on which the selectedprogram will be broadcast, the program continues to direct set-top boxtuner output 508 to television 116 and raw signal 506 through RF bypassswitch 900 to VCR 114. The interactive television program guide sends IRcommands to the internal tuner of VCR 114 that tune to the desiredchannel for the selected program and directs VCR 114 to start recordingthe selected program. This allows the user to view any program availableto the user from television distribution facility 110 without anyinterruptions due to the recording process.

At step 1006, if VCR 114 cannot decode the channel on which the selectedprogram will be broadcast, the interactive television program guideredirects set-top box output 508 from television 116 to VCR 114 and alsoredirects raw signal 506 through RF bypass switch 900 from VCR 114 totelevision 116. The interactive television program guide may set set-topbox tuner output 508 to an optimal volume level for recording. Theinteractive television program guide sends commands on line 212 to tuneset-top box tuner 504 to tune to the channel on which the selectedprogram will be broadcast. The interactive television program guide alsosends IR commands to television 116 to tune it to the channel, ifunscrambled, that the user was viewing prior to the switch. Thisprovides the user with the ability to record any program available tohim from television distribution facility 110. However, the user mayonly view programs decodeable by cable-ready television 116. Similar tothe configuration described in FIG. 5 in this configuration whentelevision 116 is in a mode where it is receiving raw signal 506, use ofthe interactive television program guide is limited because many of theinteractive television program guide's features require processing byset-top box tuner 504 and its output 508 to be directed to television116. However, limited use of the interactive television program guide isstill possible in this mode because some interactive television programguide features remain accessible to the user. See description for FIG.5.

At step 1008, when the selected programs ends, the interactivetelevision program guide sends IR commands to VCR 114 to stop therecording process. The interactive television program guide switches rawsignal 506 and processed signal 508 so that raw signal 506 is directedto VCR 114 and processed signal 508 is directed to television 116 onceagain. The interactive television program guide may tune set-top boxtuner 504 to the channel that was being viewed prior to the switch toprovide the viewer with an interruption-free viewing environment.

FIG. 11( a) shows RF bypass switch 1100 in one of three possiblepositions. RF bypass switch 1100 may be used in place of RF bypassswitch 900 of FIG. 9 in a single-tuner RF-bypass-switch interactivetelevision program guide system. When this substitution is made, a veryversatile configuration of the single-tuner RF-bypass-switch interactivetelevision program guide system results. FIG. 11( a) shows RF bypassswitch 1100 in its normal position. The normal position allows processedsignal 508 from set-top box tuner 504 to be output from both RF bypassswitch outputs 1102 and 1104 to be directed to VCR 114 and television116, respectively.

FIG. 11( b) shows another switch position of RF bypass switch 1100. Thisposition allows inputs 506 and 508 to be passed directly through RFbypass switch 1100 to outputs 1102 and 1104, respectively.

FIG. 11( c) shows another switch position of RF bypass switch 1100. Thisposition allows inputs 506 and 508 to be switched to outputs 1104 and1102, respectively.

FIG. 12 shows a diagram of a fourth illustrative configuration of thesingle-tuner RF-bypass-switch set-top box interactive television programguide system. The FIG. 12 configuration uses RF bypass switchingcircuitry 1100 (shown in FIG. 11), which is more complicated thanRF-bypass switching circuitry 900 (shown in FIG. 9). In this embodiment,the RF bypass switch provides the user with three distinct combinationsfor the two outputs. These three distinct combinations are asfollows: 1) both the outputs 1102 and 1104 transmit processed signal 508to VCR 114 and television 116 respectively; 2) output 1102 transmits rawsignal 506 to VCR 114 and output 1104 transmits the processed signal 508to television 116; and 3) output 1102 transmits processed signal 508 toVCR 114 and the output 1104 transmits raw signal 506 to television 116.In the normal mode, both VCR 114 and television 116 receive processedsignal 508 from the set-top box tuner 504. The normal mode may be usedto simultaneously watch and record, but the program watched by theviewer must be the same as that being recorded. If different programsare watched and recorded and the program selected to be recorded isunscrambled or can be decoded by VCR 114, the interactive televisionprogram guide switches output 1102 of RF-bypass switch 1100 to aposition such that VCR 114 can receive raw signal 508. In thissituation, television 116 continues to receive the processed signal fromset-top box tuner 504, which gives the user unrestricted access to allprograms available to the user, in addition to the unrestricted use ofthe interactive television program guide and its many features. The useris able to watch one program while recording another. If the selectedprogram cannot be unscrambled by VCR 114, the interactive televisionprogram guide will send commands to RF bypass switch 1100 that commandprocessed signal 508 to be directed to VCR 114 and raw signal 506 to bedirected to the television. In this switching position, the user isrestricted to viewing programs that do not require unscrambling orprocessing by set-top box tuner 504.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of steps involved in using the interactivetelevision program guide system shown of FIG. 12, which includes singletuner 504 and the substituted RF bypass switch 1100 shown in FIG. 11that can operate in three modes.

At step 300, the interactive television program guide provides the userwith an opportunity to select a program to be recorded at some latertime.

At step 1300, the interactive television program guide directs set-topbox tuner output 508 to television 116 and to VCR 114. This arrangementis the normal switching position for this configuration of the presentinvention.

At step 1302, the interactive television program guide initiatesrecording of the program selected by the user.

At step 1304, while the user is viewing television 116, if VCR 114 candecode the channel on which the selected program will be broadcast, theinteractive television program guide continues to direct set-top boxtuner output 508 to television 116 and raw signal 506 through RF bypassswitch 1100 to VCR 114. The interactive television program guide sendsIR commands that tune the internal tuner of VCR 114 to the desiredchannel for the selected program and that directs VCR 114 to startrecording the selected program. This allows the user to view any programavailable to the user from his cable company without any interruptionsdue to the recording process.

At step 1306, while the user is viewing television 116, if VCR 114cannot decode the channel on which the selected program will bebroadcast, the interactive television program guide redirects set-topbox output 508 from television 116 to VCR 114 and also redirects rawsignal 506 through RF bypass switch 1100 from VCR 114 to television 116.The interactive television program guide may set set-top box tuneroutput 508 to an optimal volume level for recording. The interactivetelevision program guide may tune television 116 to channel previouslyselected by the user. This provides the user with the ability to recordany program available from television distribution facility 110.However, the user may only view programs decodeable by cable television116. As mentioned previously in the specifications for FIGS. 5 and 10,when television 116 is in a mode where it is receiving raw signal 506,use of the interactive television program guide is limited because manyof the interactive television program guide's features requireprocessing by set-top box tuner 504 and its output 508 to be directed totelevision 116. However, limited use of the interactive televisionprogram guide is still possible in this mode because some interactivetelevision program guide features remain accessible to the user.

At step 1308, when the selected programs ends, the interactivetelevision program guide sends IR commands to the VCR to stop therecording process. The interactive television program guide switches rawsignal 506 and processed signal 508 so that processed signal 508 isdirected to both VCR 114 and television 116. The interactive televisionprogram guide may tune set-top box tuner 504 to channel selected priorto the switch.

The interactive television program guide system provides the user with avariety of watch and record options that depend on the particular signalswitching options, tuner capabilities, and tuner functions available inuser television equipment 106. The interactive television program guidesystem may use various types of switches to implement the necessarysignal routing between user program guide equipment tuners, the viewingdevice tuner and the recording device tuner. A switch may have one ormore outputs depending on the interactive television program guidesystem's configuration. Thus, signal switching options relate to theswitching capabilities associated with a particular type of switch.Tuner capabilities relate to whether a tuner is capable to decoding ascrambled television input signal, or a digital signal. For example,when a user requests to view a scrambled program the interactivetelevision program guide allocates a tuner that is capable of decodingthe scrambled signal such as a set-top box tuner, and does not allocatea tuner such as a viewing device tuner that may be incapable of decodingthe signal. The allocated tuner provides a corresponding unscrambled orprocessed signal to viewing device 116 so that the user is able to viewthe requested program.

A tuner that is “less capable” of fulfilling a user request is a tunerthat is capable of handling the user request. For example, a viewingdevice tuner may be capable of handling a user request to view anunscrambled program. In that case the interactive television programguide will not allocate a tuner that is capable of unscrambling signalssuch as a set-top box tuner, because it is not necessary to do so.

Tuner functions relate to the various user-requested andnon-user-requested automatic functions that a tuner can perform. Tunerfunctions, also referred to as secondary functions include providing theuser with the ability to view and to record selected television programsusing the interactive television program guide, collect data from thetelevision input signal while another tuner is performing anotherfunction, supporting Internet browsing, providing the user with thecapability to play a particular music channel or to obtain musicinformation, providing the user with interactive services, performing abackground process or providing a second video image (PIP).

Another option provided to the user by the interactive televisionprogram guide is the watch option. The watch option allows the user toimmediately view a selected program if the program is currently beingbroadcast when the user selects it from a group of interactivetelevision program guide program listings or if the program will bebroadcast in the future, the watch option allows the user to set areminder that will remind the user that the selected program is about tobegin. The user may set a reminder that will displayed while the vieweris watching a television program or the user may set the reminder toautomatically tune to the selected program when it is time for thatprogram to begin.

While a user is viewing or attempting to view a particular program theinteractive television program guide will allocate tuner resources thatare composed of one or more tuners for the viewing activity. Theinteractive television program guide may allocate tuner resources basedon an assumption that the user is always viewing a particular program orthat the user desires to view a particular program.

In the case where a user is initially watching and recording the sameprogram, then while the recording is still continuing the user desiresto watch a different program, the interactive television program guidemay allocate another tuner to accommodate the user's request inaccordance with the configurations of the present invention describedabove.

The optimal volume feature is a feature that allows the interactivetelevision program guide to automatically set the output of a tuner thathas been allocated for recording to its optimal volume level some timeprior to the start of the recording process.

The parental control feature is a capability of the interactivetelevision program guide to prevent access to programs or channels thatthe user desires to block access to unless a special access code orpersonal identification number (“PIN”) is entered into the interactivetelevision program guide system. After the PIN is entered into thesystem by the user, the user program guide equipment provides userfeedback on a numeric display. The user feedback may be in the form of auser prompt, an indication that the correct or incorrect PIN has beenentered, dashed lines or some other suitable method of providing theuser with feedback.

Interactive television program guide features include tuner functionssuch as watch and record, PIP, etc., or non-tuner based features such asproviding the user with program listings, program information displaysand on-screen menu displays, etc.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this inventionand various modifications can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

1-199. (canceled)
 200. A method for performing multiple operations usingmultiple tuners included in a single device, the multiple tunerscontrolled by an interactive television program guide, the methodcomprising: receiving a first user input to perform a first tuningoperation; in response to the first user input, allocating a first tunerto perform the first tuning operation; receiving a second user input toperform a second tuning operation; in response to the second user input,determining whether the first tuner is available to perform both thefirst tuning operation and the second tuning operation; and allocating asecond tuner to perform the second tuning operation to preventinterruption of the first tuning operation performed by the first tunerwhen it is determined that the first tuner is not available to performboth the first tuning operation and the second tuning operation. 201.The method of claim 200 wherein the determination that the first tuneris not available to perform both the first tuning operation and thesecond tuning operation occurs when the first user input comprises auser selection of a first channel for viewing using the interactivetelevision program guide, and the second user input comprises a userselection of a second channel for recording using the interactivetelevision program guide.
 202. The method of claim 200 wherein thedetermination that the first tuner is not available to perform both thefirst tuning operation and the second tuning operation occurs when thefirst user input comprises a user selection of a first channel forviewing using the interactive television program guide, and the seconduser input comprises a user selection of a second channel for viewingusing the interactive television program guide.
 203. The method of claim200 wherein the determination that the first tuner is not available toperform both the first tuning operation and the second tuning operationoccurs when the first user input comprises a user selection of a firstchannel for recording using the interactive television program guide,and the second user input comprises a user selection of a second channelfor recording using the interactive television program guide.
 204. Themethod of claim 200 further comprising: allocating the first tuner toperform both the first tuning operation and the second tuning operationwhen it is determined that the first tuner is available to perform boththe first tuning operation and the second tuning operation.
 205. Themethod of claim 204 wherein the determination that the first tuner isavailable to perform both the first tuning operation and the secondtuning operation occurs when the first user input comprises a userselection of a first channel for viewing using the interactivetelevision program guide, and the second user input comprises a userselection of the first channel for recording using the interactivetelevision program guide.
 206. The method of claim 205 furthercomprising: receiving a user selection of a second channel for viewingusing the interactive television program guide; and in response to theuser selection of the second channel for viewing, allocating the secondtuner to tune to the second channel for viewing to prevent interruptionof the recording.
 207. The method of claim 200 further comprising:determining whether the second tuner is capable of performing more tunerfunctions than the first tuner; and wherein the allocating the firsttuner to perform the first tuning operation further comprises allocatingthe first tuner to perform the first tuning operation when it isdetermined that the second tuner is capable of performing more tunerfunctions than the first tuner.
 208. The method of claim 200 furthercomprising: receiving at least one other user input to perform at leastone other tuning operation; in response to the other user input,determining whether the first tuner or the second tuner is available toperform the other tuning operation; and allocating at least one othertuner to perform the other user tuning operation when it is determinedthat the first tuner or the second tuner is not available to perform theother tuning operation.
 209. The method of claim 200 wherein the firstuser input or the second user input comprise a user selection using theinteractive television program guide of a tuner function selected fromthe group consisting of providing a picture-in-picture signal,collecting program guide data, browsing the Internet, and playing amusic channel.
 210. The method of claim 200 wherein allocation of thefirst tuner and the second tuner is performed using switching circuitry.211. A system for performing multiple operations using multiple tunerscontrolled by an interactive television program guide, the systemcomprising: a first tuner; a second tuner, wherein the first tuner andsecond tuner are included in a single device; and an interactivetelevision program guide implemented on the system, wherein theinteractive television program guide is operative to: receive a firstuser input to perform a first tuning operation; in response to the firstuser input, allocate the first tuner to perform the first tuningoperation; receive a second user input to perform a second tuningoperation; in response to the second user input, determine whether thefirst tuner is available to perform both the first tuning operation andthe second tuning operation; and allocate the second tuner to performthe second tuning operation to prevent interruption of the first tuningoperation performed by the first tuner when it is determined that thefirst tuner is not available to perform both the first tuning operationand the second tuning operation.
 212. The system of claim 211 whereinthe determination that the first tuner is not available to perform boththe first tuning operation and the second tuning operation occurs whenthe first user input comprises a user selection of a first channel forviewing using the interactive television program guide, and the seconduser input comprises a user selection of a second channel for recordingusing the interactive television program guide.
 213. The system of claim211 wherein the determination that the first tuner is not available toperform both the first tuning operation and the second tuning operationoccurs when the first user input comprises a user selection of a firstchannel for viewing using the interactive television program guide, andthe second user input comprises a user selection of a second channel forviewing using the interactive television program guide.
 214. The systemof claim 211 wherein the determination that the first tuner is notavailable to perform both the first tuning operation and the secondtuning operation occurs when the first user input comprises a userselection of a first channel for recording using the interactivetelevision program guide, and the second user input comprises a userselection of a second channel for recording using the interactivetelevision program guide.
 215. The system of claim 211 wherein theinteractive television program guide is further operative to: allocatethe first tuner to perform both the first tuning operation and thesecond tuning operation when it is determined that the first tuner isavailable to perform both the first tuning operation and the secondtuning operation.
 216. The system of claim 215 wherein the determinationthat the first tuner is available to perform both the first tuningoperation and the second tuning operation occurs when the first userinput comprises a user selection of a first channel for viewing usingthe interactive television program guide, and the second user inputcomprises a user selection of the first channel for recording using theinteractive television program guide.
 217. The system of claim 216wherein the interactive television program guide is further operativeto: receive a user selection of a second channel for viewing; and inresponse to the user selection of the second channel for viewing,allocate the second tuner to tune to the second channel for viewing toprevent interruption of the recording.
 218. The system of claim 211wherein the interactive television program guide is further operativeto: determine whether the second tuner is capable of performing moretuner functions than the first tuner; and wherein the allocating thefirst tuner to perform the first tuning operation further comprisesallocating the first tuner to perform the first tuning operation when itis determined that the second tuner is capable of performing more tunerfunctions than the first tuner.
 219. The system of claim 211 wherein theinteractive television program guide is further operative to: receive atleast one other user input to perform at least one other tuningoperation; in response to the other user input, determine whether thefirst tuner or the second tuner is available to perform the other tuningoperation; and allocate at least one other tuner to perform the othertuning operation when it is determined that the first tuner or thesecond tuner is not available to perform the other tuning operation.220. The system of claim 211 wherein the first user input or the seconduser input comprise a user selection using the interactive televisionprogram guide of a tuner function selected from the group consisting ofproviding a picture-in-picture signal, collecting program guide data,browsing the Internet, and playing a music channel.
 221. The system ofclaim 211 further comprising: switching circuitry, wherein the switchingcircuitry is used to allocate the first tuner and the second tuner.